“That’s my bill!” I said to myself early this morning.

An article in the Sun referred to a state statute that “prohibits meritless suits brought by large private interests, often real estate developers, to deter ordinary citizens from exercising their political or legal rights.”

That quote is from Alan Rifkin, the lawyer for opponents of a casino at Arundel Mills.

He’s referring to my legislation designed to short circuit SLAPP suits – Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation.

Typically, SLAPPs are frivolous lawsuits brought by a well-heeled business to intimidate an individual or community association that’s fighting a proposed development but lacks the money to defend itself in court.

Goliath vs. David.

In this instance, the alleged SLAPP is the suit filed by the Cordish Cos., asserting fraudulent acts in the referendum petition drive opposing a slots facility at Arundel Mills.

Just as the 1st Amendment equally protects Glenn Beck and George Soros, the SLAPP law protects a tiny neighborhood group and Magna Entertainment Corp.